I hope you had a fantastic summer! Whether you’re back to school, or simply back to fall, I hope you’re excited to start the beginning of pumpkin spice season!Â
Even though session is adjourned until 2024, our work has not stopped. Last week, I welcomed United States Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai to the Capitol for a roundtable discussion with local Asian American leaders. We had a fruitful conversation about challenges that our AANHPI communities in Minnesota face in seeking economic opportunities – especially as we rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. I appreciate the Ambassador’s advocacy and leadership as we work to build economic opportunities and stability for all our families and neighbors.Â
It’s hard to believe, but the start of the 2023-24 school year is here! This school year, you will likely notice some changes because of the historic investments that we were able to make in our public education system during the legislative session. With robust investments in early childhood education and free college tuition, everyone will see positive change whether you’re a new parent with littles just starting Pre-K or about to watch your high school senior plan for what comes next.Â
One change many families will feel almost immediately is Universal School Meals - every public school student is now able to receive free breakfast and lunch every day. This means no more negative lunch accounts or lunchroom bullying due to food insecurity. We’ve witnessed far too many kids fall in the gap between need-based free and reduced lunch eligibility and not being able to afford to pay full price, causing kids to go hungry while trying to learn and prepare for their futures.Â
That’s not all – a bill to supply all students with free menstrual products at school also went into effect. This is a problem that previously went under-acknowledged and inadequately addressed, despite its major impact on Minnesota’s kids. Eliminating these barriers for our kids will have positive effects on our young learners during an incredibly formative age. Here’s a wonderful MPR story featuring the student advocates behind this legislative milestone.Â
I’m especially proud to have championed legislation to start streamlining computer science courses in all our schools. My bill HF759 passed as part of the state budget, allocating $500,000 to the Department of Education for a working group that will start laying the building blocks to ensure we have adequate teacher training and classes so that every student in Minnesota has a fair chance in our 21st century economy.Â
It was an honor to attend Txuj Ci Elementary’s name unveiling and open house! Formerly Phalen Lake Elementary, this school has been a mainstay on the Eastside, so to have this name change means so much to the students who go here every day as well as those who came before. Txuj Cit, a Hmong immersion school, has been recognized nationally for its learning model, so the name is incredibly fitting. Thanks to Principal Xiong and the community for having me.Â
I want to invite you to our upcoming Building Community forum on September 20 at the Arlington Hills Community Center! I’ll be joined by other Eastside community leaders to talk about issues facing our community, including what we can look forward to during the 2024 legislative session. Make sure to join us by 6pm on Wednesday the 20th!Â
 Registration is preferred but not required. You can register for the event here! Food and drinks will be provided. Be sure to follow the Facebook event page for updates. Â
To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.Â
To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at [email protected] or 651-296-4277, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe.Â
It is an honor to serve you. Â
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